Imperfect Laws Of Sea: Quad Allies India-US on A Collision Course | World Defence News

World Defence News: Quad Allies India and United States are in a Collision Course due to Imperfect laws of sea. . .
Editorial Staff
Imperfect Laws Of Sea: Quad Allies India-US on A Collision Course | World Defence News
Their rising bonhomie notwithstanding, India and the US are not prepared to alter their respective interpretations of the United Nations Convention on Laws of Sea (UNCLOS) with regard to the rights and obligations of the foreign ‘Maritime States’ in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 200 nautical miles (370 kilometers) of the ‘Coastal States’. These differences were reflected once again with the American Warship USS John Paul, belonging to US Seventh Fleet, conducting “military maneuvers” as “freedom of navigation operations” near Lakshadweep, very much in India’s EEZ, earlier this week, without the consent of New Delhi. A statement of India’s Ministry of External Affairs says that “We have conveyed our concerns regarding this passage through our EEZ to the Government of U.S.A through diplomatic channels”. But US Navy is non-repentant. It has claimed that “India’s requirement of prior consent is inconsistent with international laws the freedom of navigation operations (FONOPs) was inte…